PRACTICE 1 STANZA 1
1. Who is asking the question? The persona / parent / father / mother / guardian 2. How many questions are asked in this stanza? Four
STANZA 2
1. Describe the child’s face. Clean
2. Quote the line which shows that the child is being careful. “Your clothes without a crease”
STANZA 3
1. List the things that the child would normally do when he/she got home. a) Dropped school books
b) Shrieked
c) Made childish treble
2. What does it mean when the persona/parent says that the child is a lamb? He/she is very well behaved
1. What does the persona/parent ask the child to do? To come closer to him/her
2. Which line suggests that the persona/parent cannot believe what he/she sees? “Can this be REALLY you? “
STANZA 5
1. Which line suggests that the persona/parent has just realised what is happening. “Ah…now I see the reason”
2. What does the child bring back from school? His/her school report
PRACTICE 2 (HOTS Questions)
NOTE : The answers for HOTS questions can be varied & wide ranging but most
importantly, they should be logical/reasonable and relevant to the question. Teachers are advised to use their own discretion. The answers given below are simply examples of acceptable ones.
1. Describe the persona/parent’s feelings when he/she says “For goodness sake, what’s this?” in stanza 1.
The parent finds the child’s behaviour quite strange / not normal OR He/she is surprised or shocked
2. What would the child normally do with his/her luncheon money at school (stanza 2)? Buy food and drinks at recess time
3. Give an example of what the child did when the persona/parent says “Where yesterday a rebel” (stanza 3)
He/she did not listen to his/her parents’ advice OR he/she messed his/her bedroom 4. Why does the persona/parent feel that the child is a stranger (stanza 4)?
Because he/she is being very good
5. What do you think the child would say to his/her parent when he/she gives the school report?
“Mum/Dad, this is my report card. I hope you won’t be angry.”
6. Describe your own feelings every time you give your school academic report to your parents.
I feel nervous and also scared because my result is not always good 7. Do you think examinations are important for students? Give TWO reasons.
a) Examinations will test them on what they have learned and understood b) Students will be more serious in their studies because the results will be
important for their future
8. Why are parents concerned about their children’s studies? Because they want the best for their children
9. Suggest TWO ways students can follow in order to get success in their studies. a) Have a personal study time table
b) Study in small groups after school 10) What is your future career? Why?
I want to be a doctor because I want to help treat people, especially the poor ones. PRACTICE 3 (VOCABULARY)
No. Word Meaning No. Word Meaning 1 Crease Not smooth 5 Rebel A person who goes
against the rule/law
2 Cease Stop 6 Rage Anger
3 Shrieking Screamed 7 Hullabaloo Fuss / commotion
4 Treble Noise/loud sound 8 Stunned Shocked/surprised
My Hero
PRACTICE 1 STANZA 1
1. Which line suggests that the persona thinks of his father as the best hero? I rate him Number One
2. What is the meaning of “the dead of night”? The night is very dark and quiet
STANZA 2
1. List two things that do not scare the persona’s father. (i) Late-night film /horror movie on television (ii) Skeletons
2. Which line tells us that the persona is confident about his father’s bravery? Not dad, not on your Nelly!
STANZA 3
1. What would the persona’s father do to prove that he is not afraid of ghosts? Smile and greet them
2. Which line suggests that his father is better than other fathers? My dad could just defeat ‘em
STANZA 4
1. List the three types of monsters mentioned in this stanza. (i) Vampires
(ii) Wolf-man
(iii) Frankenstein’s monster
2. The word “him” refers to the persona’s father STANZA 5
And he’s always ready to prove it
2. What does his mother have to do in the bathroom? She has to remove the spider that is in the bathtub PRACTICE 2 (HOTS Questions)
NOTE : The answers for HOTS questions can be varied & wide ranging but most
importantly, they should be logical/reasonable and relevant to the question. Teachers are advised to use their own discretion. The answers given below are simply examples of acceptable ones.
1. Who do you think the persona is talking to about his father? Why?
Maybe he is talking to his friends/classmates because they are making comparisons about their fathers.
2. How does the persona know that his father is not afraid of watching horror movies late at night?
The persona sleeps late every night / he watches the movies with his father. 3. In your opinion, which line is the best description of his father’s bravery? Why?
“My dad could just defeat ‘em” because he can do what other fathers cannot do. (Note: The student can just choose any line but he needs to justify his choice.) 4. What would his father do to the monsters (in stanza 4)? How?
He would kill them all by using his karate skills.
5. Why do you think the persona’s mother has to remove the spider in the bathtub? His father is scared of spiders or tiny/furry insects.
6. Suggest two ways to show your appreciation to your father. (i) Always help him wash his car
(ii) Play games with him
7. Apart from your father, who would you consider your hero? Why? I choose my neighbour because he is strong and brave like my father.
8. What would be the best present you could give to your father on his birthday? Why? I will give him a video camera so that he can record all the family activities for his video collection.
PRACTICE 3 (VOCABULARY)
No. Word Meaning No. Word Meaning
1 Horrors Fears 4 Vampires Living corpse
2 Skeleton Bones of a dead person
5 Upset Unhappy/disappointed
3 Defeat Win over 6 Remove Get rid of/throw away